2026 MLB Gold Glove Winners — Full List and Take Aways
The 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards celebrated Major League Baseball’s finest defensive players, honoring excellence across both leagues. Below is the complete list of 2026 MLB Gold Glove winners, along with insights, trends, and defensive highlights from this season.
American League Winners
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Max Fried | New York Yankees |
| Catcher | Dillon Dingler | Detroit Tigers |
| First Base | Ty France | Minnesota Twins |
| Second Base | Marcus Semien | Texas Rangers |
| Shortstop | Bobby Witt Jr. | Kansas City Royals |
| Third Base | Maikel Garcia | Kansas City Royals |
| Left Field | Steven Kwan | Cleveland Guardians |
| Center Field | Ceddanne Rafaela | Boston Red Sox |
| Right Field | Wilyer Abreu | Boston Red Sox |
| Utility | Mauricio Dubón | Houston Astros |
National League Winners
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Logan Webb | San Francisco Giants |
| Catcher | Patrick Bailey | San Francisco Giants |
| First Base | Matt Olson | Atlanta Braves |
| Second Base | Nico Hoerner | Chicago Cubs |
| Shortstop | Masyn Wynn | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Third Base | Ke'Bryan Hayes | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Left Field | Ian Happ | Chicago Cubs |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Chicago Cubs |
| Right Field | Fernando Tatis Jr. | San Diego Padres |
| Utility | Javier Sanoja | Miami Marlins |
Key Takeaways and Insights
1. Dominance of Team Defense
The 2026 Results highlight team-wide defensive excellence. The Royals, Cubs, and Red Sox each had multiple winners, proving that defense remains a core winning formula.
2. New Defensive Stars
Young Players like Ceddanne Rafaela, Maikel Garcia, and Masyn Wynn established themselves as elite Defenders with strong Statcast fielding metrics.
3. Veteran Stability
Steven Kwan and Ian Happ continued their defensive mastery, showing how experience and positioning can rival raw athleticism.
4. Advanced Metrics Impact
The SABR Defensive Index again influenced outcomes, validating statistical measures like DRS and OAA alongside traditional scouting votes.
5. Expanding Role of Utility Defenders
Versatile players such as Mauricio Dubón and Javier Sanoja earned recognition, reinforcing the modern MLB emphasis on flexibility and defensive range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When were the 2026 Gold Glove winners announced?
The 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove winners were announced in early November 2026 after the MLB regular season.
How are Gold Glove winners selected?
MLB managers and coaches vote for players in their league, combined with the SABR Defensive Index for statistical accuracy.
Which players earned their first Gold Glove in 2026?
First-time winners in 2026 included Dillon Dingler, Masyn Wynn, and Javier Sanoja.
Which teams had multiple Gold Glove winners in 2026?
The Royals, Cubs, and Red Sox stood out with multiple award-winning defenders in 2026.
What does the Gold Glove Award signify?
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award honors the best defensive Player at each position in the American and National Leagues.